According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), almost half (48 per cent) of the 8.2 million employed people in May 1997 had a recognised post-school qualification, compared with 29 per cent of the 789,600 unemployed people. Half of those unemployed had not attended the highest level of school available.

The publication Transition from Education to Work, Australia, May 1997 indicates that in May 1997, some 4.9 million people had recognised post-school qualifications. Of these, more than 2.3 million had vocational qualifications, such as a trade, and a further 1.7 million had a Bachelor degree or higher qualification. The remaining 900,000 had Undergraduate or Associate diplomas.

Of the 168, 900 persons who left Year 12 in 1996, 120,400 (71 per cent) were attending tertiary education in May 1997.

In May 1997, over half (53 per cent) of all 15-24 year olds (2.7 million) were enrolled at an educational institution. Of all persons aged 15-64, just over 17 per cent (2,131,800) were similarly enrolled. The majority of these people (1,899,600 or 89 per cent) were studying for a recognised educational qualification. Included in this group were 692,700 people (37 per cent) in Bachelor degree or higher courses and 672,800 people (35 per cent) studying towards senior secondary certificates. There were 232,200 persons (11 per cent) enrolled in courses of study that would not result in the attainment of recognised educational qualifications.

The survey showed that there were 121,100 apprentices in May 1997, and 88 per cent of these were between 15 and 19 years of age.

Further detail is in Transition from Education to Work, Australia, May 1997 (cat. no. 6227.0) available from ABS Bookshops in all capital cities.

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